Captivating Beauty 110

Chapter 110 – End of Main Story p2

After days of intense public scrutiny, the North City Special Ward finally released an official statement about the Qucheng trafficking case, detailing the Xu family’s crimes, their methods, and their eventual capture.

The statement highlighted Xu Jinnan’s role in uncovering the truth, her initiative in providing crucial evidence and assisting the investigation.

However, some netizens remained skeptical.

I think someone’s protecting Xu Jinnan.

That Bai Xiao incident, the ex-wife’s death, is still suspicious.

Xu Jinnan is the only one left in the Xu family now… think about it.

Xu Jinnan had seen these comments, but she wasn’t bothered by them. Shen Shu, however, was furious. She had woken up that morning to find Shen Shu sitting up in bed, her back to Xu Jinnan, scrolling through her phone, her expression grim.

Xu Jinnan had turned her around, and Shen Shu’s face had been clouded with anger, though she had refused to say why.

It wasn’t until Xu Jinnan had finally coaxed her into tears that Shen Shu had finally spoken, her voice thick with emotion. “The Special Ward already cleared your name! Why are they still attacking you?!”

She had been reading the comments online.

Xu Jinnan, unable to explain the irrationality of online trolls, simply held her close, comforting her, reminding her that they couldn’t control what other people thought.

Perhaps, with time, the truth would prevail.

All she could do was love and protect Shen Shu, her actions a silent promise, a testament to her unwavering devotion.

Sitting at her desk, the memory of Shen Shu’s vulnerability that morning, her soft moans and trembling body, made Xu Jinnan’s heart ache, her skin tingle with a warmth that had nothing to do with her rut.

She messaged Shen Shu, asking if she was free for lunch.

Shen Shu didn’t reply, and assuming she was busy, Xu Jinnan opened Weibo, then noticed a trending topic – #ShenShuLegalNotice.

Someone had posted a ridiculous theory online, linking Shen Shu to the Qucheng scandal, even claiming she was the mastermind behind it all.

Shen Shu, without a word, had sent a legal notice.

Xu Jinnan’s heart warmed at the gesture, the feeling of being loved and protected a sweet, intoxicating sensation.

She clicked on Shen Shu’s profile, then saw the photo of their hands clasped together, their wedding rings clearly visible, and reposted it, adding a simple comment: Love you, wifey.

She remembered their CP super topic.

The follower count had recovered slightly, and the giveaway post from “WhoDaresBreakUpMyCP” was still pinned at the top, the monthly prize of two million yuan unchanged.

Of course, she had no chance of winning, having missed several check-ins.

She still found it amusing, this anonymous fan’s unwavering support.

The comments below the giveaway post were also entertaining.

It’s a joke that my path to riches has been blocked.

It’s a joke that I missed one check-in out of thirty.

It’s a joke that my phone got stolen on the last day of the giveaway.

Xu Jinnan chuckled, then added her own comment: It’s a joke that I want that two million.

Then, she saw a new private message.

From ShuShu’sNumberOneFan.

[Boss Lady, how can you call Shu Shu “wifey”?]

[Shu Shu is my wife! Drooling emoji]

A screenshot of Xu Jinnan’s repost followed.

RichSisterWithStamina: [?]

ShuShu’sNumberOneFan: [Okay, fine, Shu Shu is everyone’s wife. Drooling emoji]

RichSisterWithStamina: [?]

ShuShu’sNumberOneFan: [Hahaha, just kidding, Boss Lady. Seriously, though, are you coming to Shu Shu’s Into the Dream fan meeting on Christmas Day? After that divorce drama, Shu Shu deserves all the support she can get!]

Xu Jinnan knew about the fan meeting and intended to go, but she wasn’t ready to reveal her identity yet.

RichSisterWithStamina: [Not coming. You guys have fun. And as always, contact my secretary for any expenses.]

Just then, Shen Shu replied: [Just saw your message. Only have a half-hour break. Go eat lunch without me~]

While it was a rejection, Xu Jinnan’s mood lifted, a warmth spreading through her, her heart skipping a beat at the playful tone, the added “~” a subtle sign of affection.

Shen Shu’s messages had become more playful lately, the little emoticons and added characters a sweet, endearing habit.

Xu Jinnan: [Okay~, but I need a hug from wifey.] She mimicked Shen Shu’s tone.

Shen Shu: [Hugs for you.]

Xu Jinnan: [That’s it?]

Shen Shu: [I’ll hug you when I get home. What are you having for lunch?]

Xu Jinnan looked at her empty desk. Viola was in the North District, and she hadn’t ordered anything yet.

She wasn’t sure what to eat.

Xu Jinnan: [What are you having?]

Shen Shu sent a photo of her lunch – a simple salad with half a boiled egg, some chicken breast, a piece of fish, and broccoli.

Xu Jinnan: [That again…? Didn’t you promise not to diet?]

Shen Shu: [I have an audition next week. It’s not a diet; it’s a… fitness meal.]

Shen Shu: [Go eat something. Don’t starve yourself.]

Xu Jinnan sighed. Shen Shu was just trying to appease her.

—

After lunch, Viola, returning from the North District, reminded her to check Weibo.

It seemed like her life revolved around Weibo lately.

Assuming it was more hate comments and trolls, she opened the app, then paused, surprised.

It wasn’t just Shen Shu who was defending her online. The official Weibo accounts of both the Cai and Chen families had reposted the Special Ward’s statement, expressing their support.

Even the Han Corporation’s official account had reposted it, though without any comments.

Xu Jinnan was surprised and touched.

“And this,” Viola said, handing her her phone.

It was a Weibo post from a prominent influencer.

A personal tribute to my boss, Xu Jinnan, from an employee. Everyone, meet Xu Jinnan.

It wasn’t a single post, but a collection of screenshots – from Weibo, Zhihu, Moments, even private messages and work group chats.

Xu Jinnan is the most capable and caring boss I’ve ever had. Bar none.

I was lucky enough to be hired by CEO Xu when the company was founded. I believe in her.

No bullshit, I’ll follow CEO Xu to the ends of the earth! Any haters, come at me! I’ll destroy you!

Seriously, do these people even know her? XuShen forever!

While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, some of these comments are truly disgusting. Have they even considered how hurtful their words might be if they’re wrong?

I believe in CEO Xu.

Go, CEO Xu!

Xu Jinnan scrolled through the messages, a warmth spreading through her, a strange mix of gratitude and… something else she couldn’t quite define.

So many people believed in her, supported her.

It was a touching realization, even though she didn’t usually care about online opinions.

She handed the phone back to Viola, smiling. “Everyone gets a bonus this month,” she said.

Viola paused. “Including the Xu Corporation employees?”

“Of course. As long as I’m in charge, they’re my responsibility,” Xu Jinnan replied.

Viola’s eyes widened slightly; the combined payroll of both companies was substantial.

But then, she remembered her boss was incredibly wealthy.

Xu Jinnan looked at her. “And you, Viola, besides the bonus, you’ll get something extra. You’ve been working hard.”

“It’s my job,” Viola replied calmly.

They exchanged a smile.

—

Shen Shu’s Weibo post, along with the public support from several major companies in North City, pushed the Xu family scandal and Xu Jinnan’s name back into the spotlight.

But this time, the public’s response was more… nuanced.

A prominent blogger even posted: If one person praises her, it’s nothing. But if everyone praises her, shouldn’t the haters reconsider their opinions?

Just then, the North City News Bureau released an official statement on Weibo.

#QuchengCaseUpdate Reporters from the North City Special Ward have confirmed that Xu Jinnan, current CEO of the Xu Corporation, risked her own life during the Qucheng investigation, assisting the Special Ward in apprehending dangerous criminals.

A video followed, showing Xu Jinnan entering the courtyard, being held hostage by Xu Lian, then Xu Lian being shot.

The internet exploded.

Within twenty minutes, the hashtag was trending.

Then, another video surfaced online, showing Bai Xiao’s fall from the rooftop, shot from a distance, the faces blurred, but the sequence of events clear.

The short clip showed Bai Xiao lunging at Xu Jinnan, trying to pull her over the edge, Xu Jinnan pushing her away in self-defense, then reaching out to grab her as she fell…

Public opinion shifted dramatically.

I’m sorry for what I said.

The comment had over two hundred thousand likes.

The other comments echoed the sentiment.

Xu Jinnan: “…”

Seeing the sheer number of apologies, she couldn’t help but think, A lot of people were quick to judge.

There were also other comments.

Never judge a book by its cover.

There are so many people in this world who can’t distinguish right from wrong. It’s like the old lady who gets helped across the street, then accuses her rescuer of assault.

I’m dying of laughter at all these armchair detectives, suddenly so wise after the fact. Where were you when she was being attacked?

Only one good person in the entire family? That would make a great drama.

Xu Jinnan must have suffered a lot in that family. Poor thing.

Go, Xu Jinnan! We support you!

Someone had even compiled a list of all the companies Xu Jinnan had invested in, a list that had been used to criticize her before, accusing her of exploiting others.

Now, it was a symbol of her success, her business acumen.

The earlier boycotts were now replaced by an outpouring of support.

Within hours, Meilai Jewelry’s online store sold out, and their physical stores were crowded with customers, reporters, and influencers, everyone eager to capitalize on the Shen Shu Effect.

The increased attention also boosted the popularity of the “Show” live streaming app, the influx of new users even causing the servers to crash briefly.

The power of public opinion was a double-edged sword.

Xu Jinnan wasn’t particularly affected by the sudden shift in public sentiment, the outcome even better than she had anticipated, thanks to the videos she hadn’t even known existed.

And at least now, Shen Shu wouldn’t be under as much pressure.

Shen Shu had defended her repeatedly online, even when the criticism had been at its peak, and the photos of them kissing in the car, which had also trended, had exposed Shen Shu to even more negativity.

This was a welcome reprieve.

But there was still a small…

“CEO Xu, is something wrong?” Viola asked, noticing her pensive expression. She should be happy; her name had been cleared.

Xu Jinnan leaned against her hand, her brow furrowed. “There is a small problem,” she said.

—

At 7 p.m., Xu Jinnan went to pick up Shen Shu from the studio.

It was a cold but clear night, the sky a deep indigo.

The traffic was light, and she drove slowly, not in a hurry.

They held hands, their fingers intertwined, the quiet intimacy of the car a welcome contrast to the chaos of the past few days.

But Xu Jinnan couldn’t relax, her gaze lingering on Shen Shu’s face, her hand cold in Xu Jinnan’s grasp, her silence a heavy weight in the car.

“Shu Shu, why are you so quiet?” she asked, her voice soft.

“Xu Jinnan, you’re quite the hero, aren’t you? I heard you stormed the Xu family compound with the Special Ward,” Shen Shu said, her voice cool and calm, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

Xu Jinnan: “…”

So, that’s what this is about. She coughed slightly. “It was an accident. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I was wrong. I won’t be so reckless again,” she said.

“Such a smooth apology. Been practicing, have you?” Shen Shu asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Xu Jinnan: “…I might have… thought about it.” There was no point in denying it.

Shen Shu chuckled dryly. “Trying to appease me with empty words?”

“No, I was just… afraid of upsetting you,” Xu Jinnan said, then, feeling Shen Shu’s hand twitch in hers, as if she was about to pull away, she tightened her grip. “I’m driving, wifey. Can we… discuss this when we get home?”

Shen Shu glared at her, then, pouting slightly, she let Xu Jinnan hold her hand.

—

As soon as they arrived at Xingcheng International and Xu Jinnan turned off the engine, Shen Shu pulled her hand away.

Xu Jinnan, quick to react, caught her wrist. “Wifey, just one kiss, and I promise I’ll be good,” she said, her voice a husky whisper.

Shen Shu’s eyes, usually cool and distant, sparkled with a hint of playful amusement, her anger somehow… alluring.

“No. If I kiss you when I’m angry, I’m the one who loses,” she retorted, though her tone, to Xu Jinnan’s ears, sounded more like a playful tease than a genuine refusal.

Xu Jinnan unbuckled her seatbelt and, putting her arm around Shen Shu’s waist, pulled her closer. “Then I’ll kiss you,” she murmured, her voice soft and inviting.

Shen Shu, unable to resist, playfully slapped her chest. “Who wants to kiss you?”

Her hand, however, landed a little harder than she had intended, and Xu Jinnan winced, a soft moan escaping her lips. Shen Shu’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Xu Jinnan, whose expression was a comical mix of mock-hurt and playful pout.

“I’m so pitiful,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice a dramatic whisper. “After being attacked online for days, finally cleared my name, and now my wife doesn’t even love me anymore…”

Shen Shu, amused by her exaggerated performance, chuckled. “You should be an actress. You’re so dramatic.”

“I’m not acting. I’m genuinely heartbroken,” Xu Jinnan retorted, leaning closer. “Only a kiss from my wife can heal my wounded soul.”

Shen Shu turned her head away. “No kisses for you.”

Xu Jinnan’s lips brushed against her ear, her warm breath a gentle caress. “Just one?” she whispered.

The car’s interior lights dimmed automatically, hiding the blush that crept up Shen Shu’s cheeks, her voice softening slightly. “Only if you promise to never do that again.”

“I promise,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice sincere. “From now on, I’ll always prioritize safety, no matter what.”

Shen Shu’s expression relaxed, and she felt a warm dampness on her ear, the light brush of Xu Jinnan’s lips, her teeth gently grazing her skin, a subtle, intoxicating sensation.

She moaned softly, her hand instinctively gripping Xu Jinnan’s arm.

Xu Jinnan’s hand cupped Shen Shu’s face, turning it towards her, her gaze lingering on her lips, then drifting downwards, to the soft curve of her neck, the hollow of her throat, the delicate lace trim of her dress…

The dim light from the streetlights barely illuminated the car’s interior, but they were alone, the tinted windows offering privacy, their world a small, enclosed space, hidden from prying eyes.

Shen Shu’s grip tightened on Xu Jinnan’s arm, then, unable to resist, she pulled Xu Jinnan closer, her arms circling her neck, her lips finding Xu Jinnan’s, the kiss deep and passionate, her teeth gently nipping at Xu Jinnan’s lower lip.